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Other How likely is it that Apple let's you pre-order sim-free versions?
- Thread starter xxray
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In U.S you'll just have to wait, Apple doesn't announce it so it'll just come out of no where. Last year Sim-Free Model iphone X was available on 12/3/17 (1 month after). So depending on when Apple will launch the XS/XS Max/XR (likely next Friday), so likely around October is when it will be out.I know they didn't let you order a sim-free iPhone X until a month later last year
**Copy and pasted from s54 post**
I think many people are confusing "unlocked" with "sim-free". Two different things.
The sim-free versions come out 1-2 months after the release. They come without a sim card, which means they are not linked to any particular carrier (via branding or other means). The sim-free iPhones are also fully unlocked.
However, on launch day, you can buy directly from Apple and by paying full price, that phone will come unlocked, regardless of the carrier you choose. So it's essentially the same thing as buying the sim-free version, except that, despite being unlocked, it comes with a sim card for that carrier and is branded for that carrier, if applicable.
Another misconception is that the "sim-free" models sold in the USA are global phones, which is not true. Sim free simply means they'll work with any carrier in the USA. However, historically, they will not work optimally in other countries. Take the iPhone 8, for example. The sim free version is missing crucial LTE bands that some carriers rely on throughout Asia. Your sim-free model will still work there, just not optimally. In order to get a global iPhone 8, you would have to opt for the Sprint model, which is a true "global" version of the iPhone 8 that most other countries got, which will unfortunately not work optimally for some carriers in the USA, such as Verizon.
I think many people are confusing "unlocked" with "sim-free". Two different things.
The sim-free versions come out 1-2 months after the release. They come without a sim card, which means they are not linked to any particular carrier (via branding or other means). The sim-free iPhones are also fully unlocked.
However, on launch day, you can buy directly from Apple and by paying full price, that phone will come unlocked, regardless of the carrier you choose. So it's essentially the same thing as buying the sim-free version, except that, despite being unlocked, it comes with a sim card for that carrier and is branded for that carrier, if applicable.
Another misconception is that the "sim-free" models sold in the USA are global phones, which is not true. Sim free simply means they'll work with any carrier in the USA. However, historically, they will not work optimally in other countries. Take the iPhone 8, for example. The sim free version is missing crucial LTE bands that some carriers rely on throughout Asia. Your sim-free model will still work there, just not optimally. In order to get a global iPhone 8, you would have to opt for the Sprint model, which is a true "global" version of the iPhone 8 that most other countries got, which will unfortunately not work optimally for some carriers in the USA, such as Verizon.